50 Common Miscarriage Terms That Are Related to Miscarriage

There are many terms that surround the concept of miscarriage. You will see them used throughout and will probably hear them, too. If you are going through a miscarriage, you may want to learn everything you can about it.

Other than being extremely taxing emotionally and physically, a miscarriage can cause other complications. Some of these complications are treatable, but some are not. Some of these conditions, the most common ones, are covered in this list of 50 common miscarriage terms. This list should help you get an idea of what is going on and what you can do.

2. Abruption Placentae

A condition in which the placenta is separated from the uterine wall before the baby is born. Separation of the placenta does not usually happen until after the birth. If it happens before, the fetus’ oxygen and nutrient supply are cut off. There is no way to be able to predict this, and in most cases, it cannot be prevented.

Symptoms include vaginal bleeding, back pain and belly pain in the last 12 weeks of gestation.

4. Alpha Fetoprotein

This protein is produced by the baby and can be measured prenatally. By taking a tube of your blood, they can test for possible neural tube disorders, Down’s, or anencephaly. They give a risk profile and not necessarily positive and negatives.

This protein is present in amniotic fluid and in the bloodstream.

5. Anemia

A condition in which one has a lower than a normal number of red blood cells or quantity of hemoglobin.

If you are not getting enough iron, it will be hard for your body to produce the right amount of blood cells for you and your baby.

The main causes of anemia are bleeding, hemolysis, underproduction of red blood cells, and underproduction of normal hemoglobin.

Women are more likely to have anemia because of menstrual blood loss.

It is normal to have mild anemia when you are pregnant. Your blood cells are going to two different places, and you may feel the effects.

There are many methods available to prevent the spread of pregnancy and STDs.

Some methods of birth control are irreversible. Conversely, not all methods of birth control are effective.

Abstinence-only education has been shown to be extremely ineffective in preventing teenage pregnancy. Other methods are not recommended if there is no desire for getting pregnant.

Using birth control after a miscarriage occurs is necessary. Irritation and other problems can occur. It is also dangerous to get pregnant right after a miscarriage, as it can increase your chances of having another one.

12. Chemical Pregnancy (Miscarriage)

An early loss of pregnancy that ends before the next period is due. May reveal small amounts of HCG in a blood test, but no pregnancy symptoms usually occur.

The process cannot be reversed once it has begun.

Symptoms include:

Fluid, tissue, or blood passing from the vagina, pain in the lower back or belly, and sometimes grief and sadness.

13. Chromosome Analysis

Cells are studied in search of abnormalities, which can show if there is a chromosomal reason for the pregnancy loss. 50 percent of miscarriages are caused by chromosomal abnormalities.

Also called karyotyping, this test evaluates the number and structure of chromosomes to detect abnormalities.

Commonly leads to genetic counseling.

14. Chronic Villus Sampling

A soft, thin tube is inserted through the cervix in order to withdraw a tissue sample for chromosomal and genetic analysis.

Can also be done with a needle through the abdomen.

15. Complete Miscarriage/Complete Abortion

An early loss of pregnancy where all of the conception products are expelled from the uterus.

This includes the baby, the sac, and the forming placenta.

It can be confirmed by an ultrasound or a D&C procedure.

16. Complete Blood Count (CBC)

This is a test used to evaluate overall health, and it can also help to detect a wide range of disorders.

A CBC test measures different components of your blood like red blood cells or platelets.

17. Cord Accident

Any umbilical cord problem that causes death or distress of the baby.

The cord can wrap around the baby’s neck, or cord prolapse can occur.

Prolapse is when part of the umbilical cord is presented before the baby at delivery. The cord becoming compressed between the baby and the mother’s pelvis can cut off the baby’s oxygen supply, potentially causing death.

Can be caused by any of the following:

Abnormal insertion

Vasa Previa

Abnormal composition

Abnormal cord blood pressure

Cysts, hematomas, and masses

Umbilical cord thrombosis

Coiling, knotting, collapse, and prolapse

These accidents are random and cannot always be prevented. It is important to tell your doctor about anything weird that is going on before your due date.

An occurrence where certain symptoms are present. These symptoms are usually the same as miscarriage symptoms so they can be alarming.

These symptoms can be vaginal bleeding or cramping.

The symptoms can stop or progress to a miscarriage.

Bed rest and some procedures may help to prevent the miscarriage from happening.

46. Therapeutic Abortion

A termination due to severe abnormalities or issues with the mother’s health.

These pregnancies usually will lead to a stillbirth.

This type of abortion is induced when the physical or mental health of the mother is threatened.

47. Trimester

A three month period in which a pregnancy is divided.

Each trimester has its own symptoms and development status. This terminology is used to organize the overall pregnancy and how it is developing.

48. Ultrasound

Also known as a sonogram, an ultrasound is a visualization of the internal organs. It is achieved by bouncing sound waves into the examination area.

Level one ultrasounds are used to date a pregnancy.

Level two ultrasounds are used for more specific diagnostic tests.

Can detect a large number of problems, but is not 100 percent perfect.

49. Ultrasound Technologist

Also known as diagnostic medical sonographers, these technologists have the knowledge and responsibility to perform examinations by ultrasound.

They utilize a technology that creates a dynamic and detailed image of the body’s internal organs. These machines use high frequency sound waves.

50. Velamentous Cord Insertion

In this condition, the umbilical cord inserts itself into the fetal membranes and travels within the membranes to get to the placenta. The exposed vessels are vulnerable to rupture since Wharton’s jelly does not protect them.

Wharton’s jelly is a substance within the umbilical cord and the eyeball. It is a gelatinous substance that is undifferentiated tissue.

As you can see, many terms go along with miscarriages. This is not nearly all of them but is a good starting point. Learning more about what is going on with your body is always a positive thing, even if the reason is a negative one. There is really no better way to know your risks and chances than to talk to your doctor and educate yourself.